Defining the problem

Before selecting a model, we need to be certain that there is both a need for something and that the need is not already being addressed by something or someone else using an appropriate evidence-based intervention. A full Needs Assessment and Community Readiness process is ideal, but addressing the questions below provides a formal way of working through this process.

Expect the following process to at least a few weeks.

Need:

1. What is the issue of concern/problem?
   1. Use local data, community knowledge and stakeholder insights to establish: the issue; who it is affecting; what the cause is. An example of this is available in this case study
2. Who has identified this problem?
3. Is there data or evidence of this need/problem?
4. Is the need recognised/understood by members of the community, professionals, or others, such as voluntary groups, charities, nurseries?

Gap:

1. What other services/programmes are being provided in the area and what is the evidence base for them?
2. Could you be more effective and efficient by reviewing your delivery and reallocating resources to deliver an evidence-based solution which may include scaling up an existing service?

If after working through these questions you believe there is evidence of a need and no one currently attempting to solve it in an evidence-based manner then you can progress to finding a model to address this.

Defining what you want from a solution

Answering the following will help you refine your search for possible solutions and identify ones most relevant to what you hope to achieve. If you have not already, involve local community groups and organisations through a Community Readiness process so that the model you ultimately use matches what the community needs, depending on the level to which they feel ‘ready’ to make a change.

Use the questions below to get you started.  Do not treat this as a desk task, it requires communication with people.

Starting from the need identified above, consider what may work to address that and how you will be sure it works?

1. Should the model aim to prevent the problem, reduce its effects, or does it aim to target both? E.g.,
   1. Preventing obesity before it occurs OR supporting individuals to exercise and eat a healthy diet regardless of weight.
2. What level should the model operate at? E.g.,
   1. Individual (e.g., one-on-one support)
   2. Group (e.g., parenting class)
   3. Community (e.g., community cooking sessions)
   4. Social or physical environment (e.g., green space improvement, poverty reduction)
3. Should the model be universally offered to everyone, or targeted at a particular group(s) with greater need (or a combination of the two)?